Myrrh Oil (Commiphora myrrha)

Myrrh Through the Ages

The use of myrrh goes back at least 4,000 years. The historical data says it is mentioned in one of the oldest know medical records, Ebers Papyrus (dating from sixteenth century BC) and ancient Egyptian list of 877 prescriptions and recipes. A trade commodity, Myrrh possessed the frequency of wealth according to legends.

It was used traditionally in the royal palaces by the queens as an anti-infectious agent during pregnancy and birthing. It has been used in eastern countries to enhance the feeling of spirituality or euphoria.

The Arabian people used Myrrh for many skin conditions, such as chapped and cracked skin and wrinkles. It was listed in Hildegard's Medicine, a compilation of early German medicines by highly-regarded Benedictine herbalist Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179).

In the Bible, when Esther was being prepared for marriage Aloe, Cassia, Myrrh, and Sandalwood were blended and massaged into her body every day for 30 days prior to the ceremony. Myrrh was used in burial and was highly regarded by David and Solomon. It was one of the ingredients of the holy anointing oil. "I have perfumed my bed with myrrh and aloes and cinnamon." (Proverbs 7:17) Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) is an anti-microbial oil referenced throughout the Old and New Testaments. (A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me... Song of Solomon 1:13). It was also part of a formula the Lord gave to Moses (Exodus 30:22-27).

Myrrh Essential Oil 'Gift of the Magi' Bears Anti-cancer Agents, Researchers Suggest

Michie CA, et al. "Frankincense and myrrh as remedies in children." J R Soc Med.
1991;84(10):602-5. Public release date: 4-Dec-2001

Researchers have identified a compound in myrrh, one of the gifts presented to Jesus by the Three Wise Men, that they believe could be developed into a potent anticancer agent. The compound, which kills cancer cells in the laboratory, shows particular promise for the prevention and treatment of breast and prostate cancer, according to the researchers.

The finding is the first to identify an anticancer compound in myrrh, they say. It appears in the current (Nov. 26) print edition of the Journal of Natural Products, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society. It was published in the Web version of the journal on Oct. 25.

"It's a very exciting discovery," says Mohamed M. Rafi, Ph.D., one of the co-researchers in the study and an assistant professor in the department of food science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. "I'm optimistic that this compound can be developed into an anticancer drug," he says. The researcher cautions that the compound has not yet been tested in animals or humans.

As part of a larger search for anticancer compounds from plants, the researchers obtained extracts from a particular species of myrrh plant (Commiphora myrrha) and tested it against a human breast tumor cell line (MCF-7) known to be resistant to anticancer drugs. Research data indicated that the extract killed all of the cancer cells in laboratory dishes.

Further investigations to isolate the active component of the extract found it to be a unique and previously unknown compound belonging to a class called sesquiterpenoids, which are typically found in natural products. Rafi indicated that an increasing number of compounds in this class have been identified as having cytotoxic properties against cancer cell lines, but none has reached the marketing stage.

The myrrh compound appears to kill cancer cells by inactivating a specific protein, called Bcl-2, which is overproduced by cancer cells, particularly in the breast and prostate, the researcher says. Overproduction of this protein is believed to promote the growth of cancer cells and make cells more resistant to chemotherapy.As cancer is influenced by many mechanisms, the investigators are now in the process of trying to determine whether the compound also has other mechanisms of inhibitory action against cancer cells.

On the basis of initial laboratory tests, the compound does not appear to be as strong as conventional chemotherapy drugs, such as paclitaxel (Taxol®), vinbalstine and vincristine, which are known to be potent cancer killers. These drugs are highly toxic to healthy cells, however, says Rafi.

The researcher estimates that the compound tested is 100 times less potent than paclitaxel. The compound appears to fall within the moderate strength range of other recently discovered phytochemicals (isolated from plants), including resveratrol (from grapes), genestein (from soy) lycopene (from tomatoes) and catechins (from tea). The good news is that these compounds all come from food and are unlikely to be toxic to healthy cells, which could mean fewer side effects as a chemotherapy agent, the researcher says.

Once the compound is better understood, it's possible that its potency could eventually be increased, the researcher says, who envisions that it could be developed as an oral drug. Rafi predicts that there may be other compounds in myrrh that are more potent than the current anticancer candidate though yet to be isolated from the plant.

Developing any anticancer drug from myrrh may take five to ten years, says Rafi. Animal studies of the current compound are planned. The researchers are in the process of filing a patent on the anticancer compound.

Myrrh is the dried resin obtained from one of several trees of the genus Commiphora. The bitter-tasting, fragrant resin has been used for thousands of years as an ointment, perfume, incense and embalming fluid. As a medicinal compound, it has been used to kill pain, heal wounds and neutralize bad breath. There is some documentation that some ancient civilizations may have even used the plant to combat cancer. If so, the current study represents the first scientific evidence of its effectiveness, the researchers say.

Today, myrrh can be found in health food stores as an ingredient in natural toothpaste and mouthwash, where it is used as an alternative to fluoride to fight dental decay. It is also available in capsule form, as a tea, and as an extract.

Funding for this study was provided by Rutger's New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the New Jersey Commission for Science and Technology. Mohamed M. Rafi, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the department of food science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Chi-Tang Ho, Ph.D., is a professor in the department of food science at the university and lead investigator in the study.

Myrrh and the Emotions

It has one of the highest levels of sesquiterpenes, a class of compounds that has direct effects on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and amygdala, the seat of our emotions.

A rich, smoky aroma, Myrrh promotes spiritual awareness and is uplifting, purifying, restorative, and inspiring. Extended use of Myrrh empowers a person to develop their norms guided by Source. Myrrh is particularly valuable for people who feel "stuck" emotionally or spiritually and wants to move forward in their lives. Myrrh is used to maintain and support the state of grace.

Myrrh helps a person disengage from the mass consciousness conditioning. Social norms drain a person's spontaneous energy, obstructing the joy of being in the moment.

It is good for people who are afraid to speak up about their emotions. The oil creates confidence and awareness. This oil helps us to realize that we need to let go of our wounds, forgive and move forward. Energetically it helps overcome the martyr's burden of suffering and sorrow. It is an excellent oil for the healer who carries the pain of those she works to heal. This fragrance enables the letting go of the need to stand up for the just against the unjust.

Using Myrrh helps with issues of trust. Intent coupled with the oil's gentle energy encourages looking at fears that create mistrust and enable a person to admit to their loss of faith. Once resistance is acknowledged, trust in Self can begin rebuilding.

Constraining emotions causes a very dense and weary feeling. People believe that denying heart feelings protects them but it only achieves keeping them in a state of separation and furthers the spell of illusion. These denied emotions create walls of armor around the aura, which block the physical body's ability to receive replenishing Pranic energy. Dense walls around the aura make it feel uncomfortable to be in the body. Myrrh energy generates a feeling of being enveloped in a shield of love that reflects all harmful influences and lets the heart stay open.

Its centering properties make it an excellent inhalation for compulsive eaters, in part because it connects them with the real issues and does not allow them to hide behind their food. It moves fluids and so it is good for weight loss.

Massage the neck with Myrrh to reduce the need for control and release issues of not trusting. Use it as a meditational aid and before any healing session. It strengthens the Base Chakra.

Uses for Myrrh Oil

Today, Myrrh is widely used in oral hygiene products and can help soothe sore throats, halitosis, mouth ulcers, coughs, toothaches and gum infections. Myrrh is very effective for throat problems and hoarseness.

Additionally it may be used for bronchitis, diarrhea, dysentery, hyperthyroidism, stretch marks, thrush, ulcers, vaginal thrush, and viral hepatitis. This oil may help asthma, athlete's foot, candida, coughs, eczema, digestion, fungal infection, gingivitis, gum infections, hemorrhoids, ringworm, amenorrhea, athlete's foot, dysmenorrhea, hemorrhoids, itching, diabetes, cancer, hepatitis, fungal infection, .

Application: Apply topically on location or in a massage. May be added to food or water as a dietary supplement.

Healing Stories Using Myrrh

For corns apply 1 drop of each of the following oils directly on the corn: Lemon, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Oregano, and Myrrh.

Three weeks ago I experienced this awful sore throat. I did go to the Dr for a culture. It came out positive for Strep of which I wanted to be sure. I began to oil. I made capsules with 2 drops of each Cypress, Myrrh, Oregano, and Thyme. For the swelling of the throat and glands I used Peppermint rubbed all over it. I began to treat Friday night and Monday I was BETTER! Two of my girlfriends were on antibiotics at the same time. They started their medicine Tuesday before me and they were finally able to start swallowing Monday. So oil up and stay healthy.

Elaine

From The NY Post: Ancient Cure from India may Help Curb Cholesterol. Washington - A remedy used for 2,000 years in India to reduce cholesterol may lead to the development of improved drugs to do the same, researchers said yesterday. David Moore of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston wrote in the journal Science that his team found the active agent in the Myrrh shrub, which is used as a herbal cure in India, increases the production of bile acids, which rid the body of cholesterol.

Reuters

In the past few months I have been using a lot of Myrrh for skin problems, dermatitis, chapped skin, rashes and the like. It has proven to treat many things when everything else has failed. I urge anyone with skin problems to try it.

Brenda

I've only had something like this happen if I've had a virus or if (in the past) I'd been on antibiotics for a week. I've got two stories on the topic of Thrush. First, my mother-in-law had been on and off of antibiotics for pneumonia this past winter for almost 6 weeks. She developed Thrush. I had her brushing her teeth three times a day with Thieves as well as I sent her the DentaRome Plus Mouthwash boosted with Myrrh and Clove. Within two days she was 100% better! Now she uses either Thieves or Clove on her toothbrush every other day. Takes care of the problem for her. I've also told her to use Lemon but she's not as fond of that one. Second, one of my best friends had a friend from high school who had AIDS. One of his medications (or maybe the combination of medicines just caught up with him) caused him to have Thrush. Again, I turned to Thieves, Clove and Myrrh. He liked the Thieves and Myrrh the best. For him it took 3-4 days (can't totally remember) before he got the relief he needed. I've found that Myrrh is incredible for anything to do with skin and mouth care. It's a bit funky tasting, but the clean feel after is better for me than anything else! And it lasts a long time for me. I like that.

Lynn

I am grateful to have Myrrh, which has strengthened my nails (discontinued splitting and enabled growth). This is a plus, just rub the oil on and beneath the nail.

June

Myrrh is good for infection as it will deliver oxygen to infection site. Frankincense, Myrrh and gold (which really was oil) were given to Jesus by the 3 wise men. Myrrh is anti-infectious, antiviral, hormone-like and anti-inflammatory. It is used for hepatitis and hyperthyroid. Woman's Day 4/2002 stated that there's medical power in Myrrh oil. Myrrh has been found to have anti-cancer properties that work by inactivating a protein that is produced by certain cancer cells in breast and prostate cancer. An over-production of the protein promotes cancer cell growth and can make cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy. The researchers at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, discovered that the compound in Myrrh destroys the drug resistant breast cancer cells in their lab test. Myrrh is 75% effective as anti-infectious disease essential oil. Myrrh is a holding oil - use as a fixative on top of another oil applied topically to retard evaporation. Have you tried Myrrh Oil? If nothing else it should seal the rash and soothe. It was very helpful when I had a similar rash around my ankles.

Melody

Eucalyptus radiata and Myrrh together is great to raise the immune system when working with lung conditions. Myrrh when used on the face is 75% effective on viruses. It is believed that Myrrh Oil offers fortitude and courage. I was listening to a wonderful CD lately and Gary Young had mentioned putting Myrrh on the face. It's wonderful, what beautiful skin I've never seen anything like it. I've never had better looking skin and it's only been a couple of days.

Caroline

Kathy Wilson
4514 155th St. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Phone: 253.853.4033
Fax: 253.853.4034
Email: Kathy@warrior-priestess.com